Local Youth Looking for Livestock Buyers

Update:  Junior Livestock Show of Spokane held a virtual show on March 5th. Approximately 1/3 of the registered exhibitors participated. Even though the process to complete the kids’ projects were different this year, they were able to rise to the challenge. The outcome has been good with a limited amount of livestock remaining to be purchased. You can find the results at www.juniorshow.org



Each May, local 4-H and FFA youth look forward to showing and selling project animals at the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane. The show, scheduled to celebrate its 85th year, draws nearly 500 youth from the Pacific Northwest to compete for awards and to sell market animals they’ve reared for months.

This year, due to the Covid-19 social distancing guidelines, the show is being held online and the livestock auction is cancelled–leaving youth scrambling to find buyers for their market goats, sheep, pigs, and beef. 

Having an online auction wasn’t feasible, because there was no way to verify the actual weight of each animal to be auctioned off, explained Erica Whitmore, Deer Park FFA Advisor. Whitmore serves on the board of directors for the Junior Livestock Show. 

At an auction, livestock are sold by the pound, she added, and the weight of each animal is verified when it arrives at the show. This left no choice but to cancel the auction. Youth have been reaching out to potential buyers to directly sell their animals, and to try to recover the cost of their project investment. 

To help connect sellers and buyers, the show’s board of directors has created a list of kids who need to find buyers, and have been matching potential customers with youth. 

Whitmore said many of the farm youth from both Spokane and Stevens Counties participate in the Junior Livestock Show.  “I’ve been getting text messages and phone calls from people wanting to make connections,” she said, adding, “Social media has been a great outlet, and county 4-H has been helping too.” 

Whitmore has four students still looking for a buyer for their market lambs. 

Photo By: Erica Whitmore

Whitmore said the decision to cancel the auction was difficult. Not only do kids look forward to this annual event and train for it, they invest in their project animals.

“The time and money commitment for these kids is quite a bit,” Whitmore said, adding that her students average 1-1.5 hours per day for half a year to be ready for a show. They will invest $400-$1,000 or more feeding their animals.

Sarah Cotter, a Deer Park-area 4-H leader, said her 4-H club members found purchasers for their hogs and are relieved to have done so. 

Cotter said it is their club’s custom to have its members reach out to potential purchasers prior to the auction. 

“We sold all nine hogs and pre-sold our two summer hogs,” she said. Cotter is the manager for the Clayton Community Fair, and says that while no summer fairs have been cancelled, there is potential for that to happen. If it does, more local youth will need to directly find buyers for their auction animals. 

The Clayton Fair auction typically sells 5-8 goats, 10-15 lambs, 25 hogs, and 5-10 beef. Cotter noted that supporting local youth by purchasing their auction animals also supports local butchers. 

“People have been going to the grocery store and there is no meat,” Cotter added. “I think it’s created a panic and that’s been helpful finding sellers.”

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Related Articles

WA Saves Could Cost Business Owners

Most Washington businesses without an employer-sponsored retirement plan must register for WA Saves, starting July 1, 2027, the state’s new retirement savings program. WA Saves aims to help employees build financial security by requiring businesses to offer payroll-deducted Roth IRAs managed through the state. While beneficial for workers, the program raises concerns for employers, particularly small businesses.

Read More »

Dr. Ernest W Kettel

Dr. Ernest Walther Kettel died in his home peacefully with Jo Ann, his wife of 73 years, at his side on February 7th, 2025 at the age of 96.
He was born on October 8, 1928 at home in Wild Rose, North Dakota to Carl William Kettel and Orla (Kolke) Kettel.

Read More »

Celebrate Your Community At The Annual Art Show

The SCLD Community Art Show is back, inviting artists of all ages to showcase their creativity and love for their community. Free miniature canvases will be available at Spokane County Libraries throughout February. This year’s theme, Celebrate Your Community, encourages participants to highlight what makes their hometown special.

Read More »

GreenHouse Food & Clothing Bank Change Of Hours

The GreenHouse Food and Clothing is once again adjusting its hours, this time reducing service availability and shifting to an earlier schedule. However, food bank representatives encourage those with scheduling conflicts to reach out for potential accommodations.

Read More »

Slideshow: WinterFest 2025

Deer Park’s WinterFest 2025 brought the community together with fun traditions like outhouse races, a bustling craft fair, and live music. Check out our online gallery.

Read More »

Deadline Nears For Deer Park Post Office Relocation Input

After over half a century at its current location, the United States Postal Service is proposing two potential options for the Deer Park Post Office to address the growing community’s needs. In accordance with federal law, the Postal Service is inviting public input on the proposal before finalizing its decision. However, the opportunity for citizens to share their feedback is quickly coming to an end.

Read More »

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Share this!

Featured Sponsor
Thank You For Your Support!

Read more news.

This Weekend – Holiday Cheer and Christmas Events

Holiday magic is alive and well in Deer Park. Many festive events will bring the community together this weekend. From the holiday light parade and breakfast with Santa to nativity displays and theatrical performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this December.

Read More »

Clayton Community Fair 2024: “Mad About the Fair”

The 2024 Clayton Community Fair, themed “Mad About the Fair,” is coming this weekend. It promises a weekend packed with exhibitions, competitions, and live entertainment. With a wide array of activities and the Junior Livestock Sale supporting local youth, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this lively celebration.

Read More »

Subscribe to our emails

Use the form below to sign up to receive news via email at no cost to you.

Read & Support The

Local news to keep you informed and entertained. The Deer Park Gazette is locally owned and operated. When you support the Deer Park Gazette, you support local writers and photographers.